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Like a lot of the others have said, my favorite is the Storybook Cartridge. I also like the A Child's Year cartridge too for the neat silohettes and font. Since purchasing SCAL in Sept. I haven't used my cartridges all that much lately. I am having a lot of fun downloading pictures, tracing and cutting them out. I just finished making 180 lollipop Ruby Slipper favors and 33 Munchkin tags for a benefit auction using the SCAL program. Here are some photos on how they turned out.

These are all great. I love seeing what people are doing. I just got mine in January so need inspiration!

Quote:

Originally Posted by jennunder

Like a lot of the others have said, my favorite is the Storybook Cartridge. I also like the A Child's Year cartridge too for the neat silohettes and font. Since purchasing SCAL in Sept. I haven't used my cartridges all that much lately. I am having a lot of fun downloading pictures, tracing and cutting them out. I just finished making 180 lollipop Ruby Slipper favors and 33 Munchkin tags for a benefit auction using the SCAL program. Here are some photos on how they turned out.

Hi!
My go to cartridge is actually Plantin School Book that came with my Expression. I also use Story Book, Calligraphy Collection and Street Signs for lettering.

I have one of the older Expressions, when it stops working, I'll invest either in another Expression, the E-2 or whatever is on sale for Black Friday (if the machine dies around that time). I do want something large like the Expression, because I like cutting larger images for bulletin boards and such.

I know this is a tough question but what is your favorite Cricut cartridge?

Now that is a tough question because there are so many great carts! Right now I am really liking Kate's ABC's and Campin Critters. For my Imagine machine the cart that came with it is super called Imagine More. Really like it a lot!

I just tried it and it worked. It came out faintly but it worked. I will have to try it with more pressure next time.

do you have a plastic or metal blade housing? I have metal and tried it and it worked too but someone said on a message board that it could ruin your blade housing. I'm not sure how. I wonder if the shapt part of the blade should be snipped off first?

do you have a plastic or metal blade housing? I have metal and tried it and it worked too but someone said on a message board that it could ruin your blade housing. I'm not sure how. I wonder if the shapt part of the blade should be snipped off first?

I have the metal blade housing, which I just realized is my deep cut blade/housing. The other blade housing I have is the plastic for just regular cutting. I too wonder about snipping off the blade. hmm...

I feel like such a dummy for having to ask this as I've learned to do pretty much everything I care to do with my Cricut Expression except for one thing...ENVELOPES...and it is about to drive me nuts. Can you cut an evelope that will be larger than 5" sqaure? I have cut using fit to page and nothing is getting me anything larger. I read somewhere that if you were using wild card you shoul cut the enevelope first using fit to page and pay attention to the size it calculates and then cut your card at that size. Is this what I need to do? Because I cut a card using wild card (doily shaped) using fit to page and now I can't get it to cut an evelope large enough for it. It calculated at 5 3/4 for the card size but, like I said I cut the card first. I bought the expression because I wanted to be able to do decent size cards. Which it appears I can do just not the matching envelopes. What am I doing wrong?

I feel like such a dummy for having to ask this as I've learned to do pretty much everything I care to do with my Cricut Expression except for one thing...ENVELOPES...and it is about to drive me nuts. Can you cut an evelope that will be larger than 5" sqaure? I have cut using fit to page and nothing is getting me anything larger. I read somewhere that if you were using wild card you shoul cut the enevelope first using fit to page and pay attention to the size it calculates and then cut your card at that size. Is this what I need to do? Because I cut a card using wild card (doily shaped) using fit to page and now I can't get it to cut an evelope large enough for it. It calculated at 5 3/4 for the card size but, like I said I cut the card first. I bought the expression because I wanted to be able to do decent size cards. Which it appears I can do just not the matching envelopes. What am I doing wrong?

are you cutting from the cartridge directly or using DS or Gypsy?
I have found you can rotate an envelope 45 degrees and then make it larger because the pointy flaps will fill in the corners of the mat giving you more room. If you are using cartridge only I suggest you make the envelope first (make sure real dial is off) cut the envelope as large as it will let you, then cut the card, it will scale the card to fit as long as you do not change the size

are you cutting from the cartridge directly or using DS or Gypsy?
I have found you can rotate an envelope 45 degrees and then make it larger because the pointy flaps will fill in the corners of the mat giving you more room. If you are using cartridge only I suggest you make the envelope first (make sure real dial is off) cut the envelope as large as it will let you, then cut the card, it will scale the card to fit as long as you do not change the size

Thank you Lindsay. I am cutting from the cart itself, but I do have the ability to cut with the Gyspy. I will give this a try.

I feel like such a dummy for having to ask this as I've learned to do pretty much everything I care to do with my Cricut Expression except for one thing...ENVELOPES...and it is about to drive me nuts. Can you cut an evelope that will be larger than 5" sqaure? I have cut using fit to page and nothing is getting me anything larger. I read somewhere that if you were using wild card you shoul cut the enevelope first using fit to page and pay attention to the size it calculates and then cut your card at that size. Is this what I need to do? Because I cut a card using wild card (doily shaped) using fit to page and now I can't get it to cut an evelope large enough for it. It calculated at 5 3/4 for the card size but, like I said I cut the card first. I bought the expression because I wanted to be able to do decent size cards. Which it appears I can do just not the matching envelopes. What am I doing wrong?

Yes, you should first cut your envelope using "fit to page," and note what size the machine cuts at. Then turn OFF "fit to page," change the size to whatever your envelope cut at, and cut your card. For example, if you cut an envelope using "fit to page" and the screen tells you it's cutting at 5 1/2", you'll then cut your card (after turning "fit to page" OFF) at 5 1/2". If you cut your card first using "fit to page" it's already as big of an image the machine can cut in that space - but the envelope HAS to be bigger (to account for the flaps) - so you have to cut the envelope first and size down from there for the card. Hope this makes sense!

Oh, I've also noticed that the envelopes on some of the newer cartridges like Sentimentals and Damask Decor are designed much better - they've changed the way the flaps are cut, so it's easier to get bigger envelopes. Just something you might want to check out!

How long does it take to get used to the Gypsy? I bought one and so far, I am totally not into it. I don't use my Cricut very often so I am thinking that maybe I don't even need the Gypsy.

I got one for xmas and I love it for when I go to a monthly crop. I bring pattern paper to match my photos and cardstock for die cutting. That is it (besides the basics: scissors, glue, paper trimmer) and that made me really love it. I wish that I couls do more with it like I can with my laptop and scal or fairy cut but I find the limited options of using the gypsy means I get more done. I think you just need a block of time to buckle down and use it. I have a baby bug and an "e" and I lend my baby bug and all my carts to a good friend of mine (she meets me at the crop with the little cricut) and I still have access to all the designs with my gypsy. I would take a few hours where you are planning to make cards and scrap and only allow yourself to make your own embellies with gypsy, you will get the hang of it

How long does it take to get used to the Gypsy? I bought one and so far, I am totally not into it. I don't use my Cricut very often so I am thinking that maybe I don't even need the Gypsy.

I would definitely take the time to watch some Youtube videos on how to use your Gypsy. I am sure will fall in love with it. When I first got mine I wasn't sure how much I would use it, but now I don't use cartridges in my Cricut at all. I either use my Gypsy or SCAL program. I enjoy designing sayings and being able to weld letters together, especially when working with vinyl. I also like to be able to position letters and designs where I want on the mat to save paper. Good luck!

Yes, you should first cut your envelope using "fit to page," and note what size the machine cuts at. Then turn OFF "fit to page," change the size to whatever your envelope cut at, and cut your card. For example, if you cut an envelope using "fit to page" and the screen tells you it's cutting at 5 1/2", you'll then cut your card (after turning "fit to page" OFF) at 5 1/2". If you cut your card first using "fit to page" it's already as big of an image the machine can cut in that space - but the envelope HAS to be bigger (to account for the flaps) - so you have to cut the envelope first and size down from there for the card. Hope this makes sense!

Oh, I've also noticed that the envelopes on some of the newer cartridges like Sentimentals and Damask Decor are designed much better - they've changed the way the flaps are cut, so it's easier to get bigger envelopes. Just something you might want to check out!

Found Damask Decor on sale at Michael's and snatched it up. Haven't played with it yet but, looking forward to it.

I used it to make valentines for my sons this year and I kept getting confused with the dimentions. Maybe I need to take the time to watch some of these youtube videos to understand it better.

I have the gypsy and basically have done nothing more than upload carts to it. I have learned how to weld by watching a video from one of the bloggers. I am going to take an online class from My Creative Classroom so, I can understand this gadget better.

I have the Create and I love it. My mom got it and several cartridges for Christmas, Valentine's Day, you name it. She finds deals on cartridges and has them sent directly to me. I've used it on many cards recently. She ordered me the Elegant Edges cartridge when it was first available. That one and Lacy Labels are great for shapes for main elements on cards. I have it sitting on a shelf on my desk. I realized that when it wasn't up there, I wouldn't use it as much because it was a pain in the neck to move up and down. Now that it's right there, I use it a lot. My gf has the Expression and I can use it when I need something bigger.

My mom also got me the Design Studio. I like that but don't seem to use it much. I will though with the Elegant Edges borders. They come out just like they show in the book without the DS.

I also learned that if your mat gets unsticky...and it will...spray adhesive works perfectly. Saves money on new mats. I didn't do well with washing them off like people say you can.

I also have a cuttlebug, but only one set of dies and the top note that I can use in it. I have Nestabilities and one cuttlebug set that came with it. I use the heck out of it for embossing though.

I want to purchase (and will very soon) the SCAL program. I have heard that ProvoCraft is suing them as well so need to purchase it soon. The question I have is: Can I access all the shapes in the cartridges in DS once SCAL is downloaded? I found this for less than $50 on the net. I will probably order on Friday since it is pay day.

I have my original baby bug and just love it. I'm hoping when the E2 comes out the Expressions goes down so I can afford a new one. I have a friend who is a teacher for special needs so I'll donate my old one to her. Keeping my fingers crossed they down enough so I can afford one.

__________________
You never know how strong you are until strong is the only choice you have.

I actually asked for the expression for christmas but when dh was doing price research online he found the "E2" coming soon and told my mom not to buy me one. I was actually pretty upset bc at christmas I felt so dismissed bc everyone got really nice gifts and my "big" gift was a camera that came free when my mom bought my sil's awesome camera.

Now I feel bad for "thinking" like a brat (since I would never say anything to mom)

Quote:

Originally Posted by stamptician

No E2 for me either. I bought the original when it first came out 5 years ago and just got a plum colored expression for Christmas this past year. So, no way.